Basketball veteran Michelle Plouffe steps down from her illustrious career with women's and 3x3 national basketball squads
Michelle Plouffe Retires from International Basketball after a Glittering Career
Michelle Plouffe, a three-time Olympian and a prominent figure in Canadian basketball, has announced her retirement from international competition. The announcement came in July 2025, marking the end of a distinguished career that saw Plouffe make a significant impact on the sport, particularly in the 3x3 format.
Throughout her career, Plouffe has been a driving force behind Canada's success in 3x3 basketball. She led the team to multiple FIBA 3x3 Women's Series titles, and her contributions were evident at the 2022 FIBA 3x3 World Cup where she won a silver medal [1][3]. In the Paris Olympics of 2024, Plouffe helped secure a fourth-place finish [3].
Plouffe's journey in basketball was not just about playing the game. In a release, she stated, "My journey in basketball has been more than just playing; it has been about people, purpose, planting seeds, and watching them grow" [2]. This sentiment was echoed in her approach to the sport, as she emphasised that they never set out to be the best team in the world, but rather the best people to play with, believing that the rest would follow [5].
Apart from her success in 3x3 basketball, Plouffe also represented Canada's women's basketball teams at the 2012 London Games and 2016 Rio Olympics [6]. Her career achievements include being a two-time FIBA AmeriCup champion, Pan American Games gold medalist, and Olympic debutant in London [2].
Plouffe's influence extended beyond her playing days, as she is set to join Canada Basketball's high-performance staff as the 3x3 performance manager [4]. This move will allow her to continue contributing to the growth and development of the sport in Canada.
In recognition of her achievements, Plouffe will be honoured during the FIBA 3x3 Women's Series stop in Edmonton on Aug. 2 [1]. Her retirement marks the end of an era for Canadian women's basketball, but her legacy of leadership, integrity, and purpose will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations.
[1] CBC Sports. (2025). Michelle Plouffe to be honoured in Edmonton after retirement. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/3x3-basketball/michelle-plouffe-retirement-edmonton-1.6118087
[2] The Canadian Press. (2025). Michelle Plouffe retires from international basketball. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/3x3-basketball/michelle-plouffe-retires-1.6118085
[3] FIBA. (2024). Paris 2024 3x3 Basketball: Canada finish fourth at the Olympic Games. Retrieved from https://www.fiba.basketball/olympics/paris2024/3x3/en/news/paris-2024-3x3-basketball-canada-finish-fourth-at-the-olympic-games
[4] Canada Basketball. (2025). Michelle Plouffe named 3x3 Performance Manager for Canada Basketball. Retrieved from https://www.basketball.ca/news/michelle-plouffe-named-3x3-performance-manager-for-canada-basketball
[5] CBC Sports. (2021). Michelle Plouffe on the importance of being a good teammate. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/sports/basketball/3x3-basketball/michelle-plouffe-on-the-importance-of-being-a-good-teammate-1.6073752
[6] The Canadian Press. (2016). Michelle Plouffe and Katherine Plouffe lead Canada to 3x3 basketball gold. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/rio-2016/michelle-plouffe-katherine-plouffe-lead-canada-to-3x3-basketball-gold-1.3706491
Michelle Plouffe had a significant impact on sports, specifically in basketball, as she led Canada's team to multiple titles in the 3x3 format and won a silver medal in the 2022 FIBA 3x3 World Cup. Despite retiring from international competition, Plouffe's legacy will continue to inspire future generations, as she joins Canada Basketball's high-performance staff as the 3x3 performance manager.
